Category: Indiana Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The NCAA plans to double the number of teams it seeds in its Division I baseball tournament to 16, hoping to provide a more equitable competitive balance.
The organization announced the move Friday and it will take effect for the 2018 tournament. The change will allow the baseball tournament to follow the same seeding principles used by other sports that have at least 64 postseason participants.
The NCAA says that under the current format, with only eight seeded teams, the ninth-best could be paired against the No. 1 seed in the super regional round. With the change, a top seed will face the No. 16 seed.
The change was approved last week at a meeting of the Division I Competition Oversight Committee in Indianapolis.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — AJ Foyt has hired an Indianapolis 500 winner to drive fulltime in IndyCar for the first time since he started his own team.
Tony Kanaan will drive Foyt’s flagship No. 14 Chevrolet next year, which will make him the first Indy 500 winner besides Foyt to drive a full season for the team. Foyt owned the team when he won his third and fourth Indianapolis 500s.
Kanaan is 42 and just celebrated his 20th season in IndyCar. He won the Indianapolis 500 in 2013 and the IndyCar title in 2004.
“We’ve talked to Tony for the last couple of years and I’m just glad we were able to put something together because I know he wants to win as bad as we do,” Foyt said. “I think he still has two or three good years in him. He’s always been a hard charger and I like somebody who wants to charge hard.”
ABC Supply Co. renewed its sponsorship of the program beyond 2018 as part of the Kanaan deal.
Foyt also hired technical director Eric Cowdin, who will be race engineer for Kanaan. Cowdin was with Kanaan for the Indy 500 victory, the IndyCar title and 15 of the Brazilian’s 17 victories.
“I just thought it was a great opportunity for me to build something where we can make history, and for me that’s what racing’s all about,” said Kanaan. “Yes it is about the wins, but it’s also about the people, the people that you’re associated with. We’re going to make some history.”
Foyt will also move the operation of the No. 14 to Indianapolis from Waller, Texas, where it has been housed since 1996. The No. 4 car will be based in the Texas race shop, but no driver has been named.
Kanaan plans to spend significant time in Indianapolis during the racing season.
“My biggest challenge will be getting to know everybody and really make everybody work for one goal, which is go win the race,” he said.
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More AP Auto Racing: http://racing.ap.org/

By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jacoby Brissett understands Sunday will be Peyton Manning’s show.
The newest Indianapolis Colts quarterback just wants to honor the old one properly — with a winning performance against San Francisco.
“I went to the Peyton Manning camp when I was in college,” Brissett said. “I enjoyed watching him growing up and I still do.”
Somehow, some way, Brissett has a knack for surrounding himself with success stories.
He was mentored in high school by Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, played for Bill Belichick in New England and served as an understudy to Tom Brady with the Patriots. Since being traded to the Colts on Sept. 2, Brissett has been cramming with Andrew Luck .
Now as Indianapolis celebrates its biggest star with a statue dedication, Manning’s induction into the Colts’ Ring of Honor and a jersey retirement ceremony, Brissett takes center stage with one of his childhood favorites in the crowd.
Brissett’s goal: get the Colts (1-3) playing more like Manning did all those years.
“You’ve got to find the good and learn from the bad and you’ve got to hone in on the fundamentals,” Brissett said. “I think all of our errors (last week) were self-inflicted, like me throwing the ball better. We’ve just got to work on it and grow.”
Perhaps no team understands how challenging it can be more than the 49ers, who are off to another rugged start.
They are one of four remaining winless teams, have lost 11 of their last 12 road games, and have the lowest-rated starting quarterback in the NFC: Brian Hoyer (67.9). Their last three losses have come by a combined eight points, and they’ve failed to score a touchdown in three of their first four games.
It’s a long way from the days of Joe Montana, Steve Young or even Alex Smith.
And it certainly doesn’t resemble the offensive juggernauts Manning presided over in Indy or in Denver.
“I know we’ve got to do better and we’ve got to clean a lot of stuff up,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “But that’s the goal, to get better each week.”
Here are some others things to watch:
GORE-Y REMINDER: As Indy’s Frank Gore continues to climb the NFL’s career charts, he will face his former team for the first — and possibly — only time in his career.
The 34-year-old running back needs 4 yards to pass Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (13,259 yards) and three carries to pass Edgerrin James (3,028) to move into seventh on the league’s career lists. But the 49ers career rushing leader also will get to see a few familiar faces.
“Shout out to Frank for doing it this long. Hopefully he doesn’t do it against us,” safety Eric Reid said. “He’s still doing it. He still has gas in the tank.”
HOMECOMING: Gore isn’t the only player having a reunion this weekend. San Francisco receiver Pierre Garcon returns to Indy, his original team, for the second time since signing with Washington in 2012.
Garcon had three catches for 9 yards in his only other meeting with the Colts in 2014. Garcon credits his time working with Manning, Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and others for his NFL success, and is eager to see some familiar faces who helped him along the way.
“It’s always cool to go back where you started,” he said. “There’s a lot of staff that are still there. It will be good to see those guys.”
ALL OR NOTHING: The 49ers and the 2001 Redskins are the only teams over the last 27 seasons to fail to score a TD in three of their first four games. San Francisco scored five TDs in its other game, a 41-39 loss to the Rams.
The biggest issue has been in the passing game. Hoyer is ranked near the bottom of the league in every category and is one of two players (rookie DeShone Kizer) completing less than 60 percent of his throws while averaging less than 6 yards per attempt.
“He needs to play better, and I think we need to play better around him,” Shanahan said. “When you have the time and you’ve got guys open, you need to hit them. And I thought he struggled with that.”
STRANGE SEASON: Indy is hosting its third winless team in four weeks. Even odder: The combined record of those first five opponents is 1-9 going into the Colts game.
Indy lost to the Rams in the season opener, then hosted the 0-1 Cardinals and 0-2 Browns before visiting Seattle (1-2) last week. The Colts’ next three opponents are 5-7.
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AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow in San Francisco also contributed to this article.
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For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL .

By MICHAEL MAROT, AP Sports Writer
All Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey wanted was a chance to show he could be a Big Ten starter.
Now that he’s earned the job, he must demonstrate he can keep it.
Less than a week after learning he would replace Richard Lagow in the lineup and that the Hoosiers’ two-man quarterback rotation was over, the Cincinnati high school star will make his first college start against Charleston Southern.
“I think I’m ready,” he said. “I’ve had opportunities to go out and play and play against good football teams.”
Ramsey played well enough to convince coach Tom Allen to make a midseason move.
It’s not that Lagow, a fifth-year senior, necessarily played badly.
Ramsey just moved the ball with more consistency, had fewer turnovers and posed a bigger challenge with his legs for Indiana’s opponents. So after getting blown out at No. 4 Penn State last weekend, Allen changed directions by turning the reins over to the talented redshirt freshman who had been dreaming of this day from the moment he arrived on campus.
The first test comes Saturday when the Hoosiers (2-2, 0-2 Big Ten) face a team that wasn’t even on the schedule a month ago.
“You have a two-week window here before we play back in the Big Ten again, so it gives us a chance to be able to look at some things,” Allen said. “But Charleston Southern, they’re the team that we play and that’s obviously all we’re focused on now.”
For Indiana, the Buccaneers (2-2) pose a familiar challenge. They, like Georgia Southern, run the triple option out of the shotgun.
The result two weeks ago: Hoosiers 52, Georgia Southern 17.
This time, they’ll have a new quarterback who could bring more efficiency to the offense — and a team ready to get things righted.
“We’re hoping that the benefit of playing Georgia Southern a couple weeks ago will be very helpful schematically in terms of not having to go through and do things that we haven’t seen, the techniques that you have to teach,” Allen said. “That should help, but it still creates challenges. That’s why they do it. That’s why they run it.”
UNSPECIAL TEAMS
Though not nearly as prominent as the quarterback switch, Allen also said he’s making changes on special teams.
While not providing specifics, it shouldn’t come as a surprise after Allen claimed special teams’ miscues last week led directly or indirectly to 21 points. That, Allen said, must get fixed immediately.
“I feel like our guys mentally were ready to play and did not execute the opening kickoff,” Allen said, referring to the 98-yard return for a touchdown. “And that’s a real momentum killer when they just take it right back the opening play of the game. So that to me is just inexcusable. Had to address personnel on that.”
WINNING STREAK
Charleston Southern has won its last two games by a combined score of 124-7 over Point and Mississippi Valley State.
Don’t expect it to be so easy this week.
The Buccaneers lost their only other matchup against a Big Ten foe, 44-0 at Illinois in 2012. In fact, Charleston Southern is 0-19 against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents all-time. But it did beat Appalachian State in 2013 and Coastal Carolina in 2016 as both schools were transitioning from the Football Championship Subdivision to full-time FBS status.
DEFENDING THE RUN
Yes, the Buccaneers like to run. Succeeding may prove difficult.
A week ago against Penn State and Heisman Trophy candidate Saquon Barkley, the Hoosiers gave up just 39 yards rushing, their fewest against a conference opponent since the 2013 season finale against Purdue (31). The Nittany Lions also averaged 1.1 yards per carry.
WATCHING ELLIS
Charleston Southern defensive lineman Anthony Ellis will be worth watching Saturday.
A year ago, he led the Big South with 16.0 tackles per game. Not surprisingly, he was chosen as the conference’s preseason pick for defensive player of the year — for the second straight year. He hasn’t disappointed. Ellis leads the team with 3½ sacks and he’s played a big role in helping the Buccaneers climb to No. 2 in FCS with 4.25 sacks per game.
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By JOHN FINERAN, Associated Press
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said Thursday that he will wait until kickoff of Saturday’s game at North Carolina to name his starting quarterback.
Junior Brandon Wimbush, who has led the 21st-ranked Irish to a 4-1 start, is still recovering from the right foot strain that has been bothering him since Notre Dame’s 52-17 victory over Miami (Ohio) last Saturday.
Limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, Wimbush has been sharing reps on the No. 1 offensive unit with sophomore Ian Book as the Irish prepare to play the Tar Heels (1-4).
“(Wimbush) practiced today (Thursday) and did some good things,” Kelly said during his final meeting with reporters before Notre Dame departs for North Carolina. “We’ll go day to day and make a decision on game day.”
Wimbush has rushed for 402 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 52.3 percent of his passes for 782 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Wimbush was given a protective walking boot and crutches after the strain was revealed following an MRI and X-rays. He used both in going to class Monday. Wimbush was limited to light throwing and some off-the-field exercises Tuesday while Book got all the work with the No. 1 offensive unit. He returned to the practice field Wednesday.
Kelly said he expects to have Wimbush in uniform, and that he would back up Book if he decided to keep Wimbush on the sideline.
“If (Wimbush) doesn’t start, he’ll be able to do something,” said Kelly, who has been pleased with Book’s work this week. “He’s in a good place. We’ve got two days. He will get some more rehab.”
Kelly is not concerned about starting Book.
“Ian is very accurate with the football, has a good grasp of the offense and he elevates the play of the guys around him,” Kelly said.
Book has played in Notre Dame’s last four games, including the entire fourth quarter of last week’s win. Book, a sophomore, has gained 40 yards on five rushes and completed 3 of 8 passes for 51 yards.

ELLETTSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Organizers are expecting at least 3,000 bicyclists will take part in the 50th annual Hilly Hundred ride this weekend in southern Indiana.
The bike tour follows mostly rural roads through the hills around the Bloomington area on Saturday and Sunday, with the rides of about 50 miles beginning and ending at Edgewood High School in Ellettsville.
Hilly Hundred marketing director Brad Bolling tells The (Bloomington) Herald-Times that some riders are expected to return after years away in order to mark the 50th anniversary. He says one highlight will be the ride’s return to Morgan-Monroe State Forest after road construction prevented its use the past few years.
Rest stops with live music will be stationed along the routes both days, with vendors and camping at the start/finish area.
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Information from: The Herald Times, http://www.heraldtimesonline.com

By JOHN FINERAN, Associated Press
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Quarterback Brandon Wimbush has a walking boot on his right foot as No. 21 Notre Dame prepares for Saturday’s game at North Carolina.
The injury to the 228-pound junior, who has guided the Irish to a 4-1 start, came to light at a mandatory Sunday check-in following Saturday’s 52-17 home victory over Miami (Ohio). Wimbush later underwent a precautionary MRI and X-rays that revealed no structural or ligament damage.
“He experienced some foot soreness after the game, so we put him in a walking boot, which is fairly typical,” coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday.
Kelly didn’t want to speculate whether Wimbush would be questionable or probable for the game against the Tar Heels, who are 1-4 after a 33-7 loss to Georgia Tech. Wimbush might do some light throwing Tuesday — Notre Dame’s first time on the field since Saturday — with backup Ian Book getting most of the reps with the first-team offense in practice.
“I would think (Wimbush) would have to do something Wednesday,” Kelly said. “But does he need to take 60 percent of the reps? Probably not. We’ve done our due diligence here. We want to make him obviously feel good, and he’s got to feel comfortable and a lot of this is not just medical. He’s got to feel 100 percent like he can put his foot in the ground and do the things that he can do.”
Kelly initially said the injury occurred during the victory over the RedHawks in which Wimbush played three quarters before being replaced by Book. Asked if the injury occurred following the game, Kelly came to his quarterback’s defense.
“I’d talk to anybody that has speculative information out there,” Kelly said. “I trust what Brandon tells me. I have no reason not to trust 100 percent when Brandon tells me. He went out and felt his foot was not right and he went home. That’s what he told me. I believe him. I have no reason not to believe him based upon my relationship with him over the last three years.”
Wimbush, a dual-threat quarterback who sat out last season, has rushed for 402 yards and eight touchdowns while competing 52.3 percent of his passes for 782 yards and six scores against two interceptions.
Book, a sophomore, has seen limited duty in four games, rushing for 40 yards on five carries and is 3-of-8 passing for 51 yards.
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By PETE DIPRIMIO, AP Sports Writer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Indiana’s bounce-back strategy from a lopsided loss starts with a quarterback change: Redshirt freshman Peyton Ramsey is in and senior Rich Lagow is out, no more rotating.
“Our ability to move the ball and score points comes down to building a team around whoever we feel gives us the best chance to win on game day,” coach Tom Allen said Monday. “We feel Peyton gives us the best chance.”
Lagow, who threw for 3,362 yards and 19 touchdowns last year, started the first four games this season, with Ramsey coming in for designated series. Ramsey outplayed Lagow in a win at Virginia and again during last Saturday’s 45-14 loss at Penn State.
For the season, Ramsey has out-performed Lagow in passing accuracy (60.4 percent to 56.3 percent) and rushing (117 yards to minus-30).
“It was the body of work,” Allen said. “Peyton has a look in his eye that’s different. There’s a grit and toughness to him. There’s a linebacker mentality to him in how he works. Those are the things I saw. Those need to come to the forefront.”
The change takes effect Saturday when Indiana (2-2, 0-2 Big Ten) hosts Charleston Southern (2-2).
“Ramsey gives you the ability of opening up the run game more,” offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said. “Every time he’s gone into the game, the run game has opened up more. That helps you control the ball. He also can do things on the move.”
Ramsey will get one game as a starter before Indiana resumes Big Ten play by hosting No. 7 Michigan on Oct. 14. DeBord said Ramsey, the son of a high school coach (Doug Ramsey coached his son at Cincinnati Elder High School), can handle starting pressure. And rotating quarterbacks isn’t part of the plan as it was the first four games.
“I wanted to see what they could do,” Allen said. “It gave me a chance to see, in an objective way, who could move the ball. (Ramsey) has to be ready to go. That’s what he’ll do.”
Allen said he believed Lagow, a senior, will handle the transition well and be ready if called upon. He said the Hoosiers practiced well Sunday after the Penn State loss.
“They got refocused,” he said. “Ball security was a big emphasis in practice. Offense protecting the ball, defense taking it. We’ll continue to emphasize that.”
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